Licensed sponsors on the Worker and Temporary Worker routes must use version 10/26 of sponsor guidance part 2, valid from 8 October 2026, which covers changes taking effect up to 29 October 2026.
Key facts
- Who: Licensed sponsors on the Worker and Temporary Worker routes, including those sponsoring Skilled Workers, Ministers of Religion and Religious Workers
- From: 8 October 2026 (some changes from 1 October 2026 and 29 October 2026)
- Source: Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 2: sponsor a worker
Replaces version 08/26, published on 3 August 2026.
UK Visas and Immigration has published version 10/26 of Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 2: sponsor a worker. It reflects Immigration Rules changes coming into force on 8 and 29 October 2026, set out in Statement of Changes HC 584 (published 3 September 2026), and changes to the Right to Work Scheme that came into force on 1 October 2026.
Level 2 users. Paragraph S2.4 now says a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) can only be assigned by a person with access to the sponsorship management system (SMS) as a Level 1 user or, until 8 March 2027, a Level 2 user. The guidance says the Level 2 User role will cease to exist after 8 March 2027.
Right to work checks. Paragraphs S1.40 to S1.43 are redrafted. From 1 October 2026 the Right to Work Scheme applies to working arrangements beyond traditional employment relationships. A sponsor must check a worker's right to work whatever the working arrangement.
Ministers of Religion and Religious Workers. References to the "resident labour consideration" are deleted (S1.19, S3.42, S9.15), because the requirement no longer applies to applications submitted on or after 29 October 2026. Paragraphs S7.22 to S7.31 are redrafted to reflect changes to the financial requirement from 29 October 2026 for those not entitled to National Minimum Wage.
Modern slavery. New paragraphs S8.28 and S8.29 reflect a new provision from 8 October 2026 for Skilled Workers identified as victims of modern slavery. Paragraph S8.5 is amended to match.
Other changes include the deletion of transitional references to age requirements (S7.53) and of sentences on how to carry out right to work checks (S7.60).
What this means for applicants
Sponsors with Level 2 users can keep using them to assign a CoS until 8 March 2027, after which the role no longer exists. Sponsors must carry out right to work checks under the extended Scheme from 1 October 2026. The guidance says that if a sponsor is issued with a civil penalty for employing an illegal worker, or fails to carry out the required checks, UK Visas and Immigration is likely to revoke its licence.
For a Religious Worker who intends to apply before 29 October 2026, the sponsor must keep following section MRW5 of Sponsor a Minister of Religion or Religious Worker as in force before that date.
Related guide
Sources
- Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors part 2: sponsor a worker, UK Visas and Immigration, version 10/26
- Statement of Changes HC 584, published 3 September 2026 (as cited in the guidance)